A recent Mother Jones article highlights the growing demand for pork in China and the role of the United States in meeting that demand.

With a rapidly growing population and increased per capita demand for pork, China is now responsible for the confinement of more than half of the world's pigs raised for food.

There are several reasons the U.S. is poised to become China's very own pork factory farm, including the fact that pork consumption in the U.S. has been on the decline since the 90s. This downtrend is largely due to concern for animal welfare. According to the article, based on current projections, "the USDA expects US pork exports to rise by another 0.9 metric tons by 2022 -- a 33 percent jump from 2012 levels."

Other reasons include the lower cost of pork production in the U.S., and increased land and water pollution in China, due in part to industrial agriculture.

In the pork industry, mother sows are confined in cruel gestation crates, unable to turn around, lie down comfortably, or engage in any natural behaviors for nearly their entire miserable lives. Their piglets are torn from them shortly after birth and have their testicles ripped out of their bodies and their tails chopped off without any painkillers.

See for yourself the horrific conditions pigs endure. Watch this undercover video from MFA's most recent pig farm investigation:

Every time we eat, we can help put an end to the mistreatment of animals on factory farms, improve own health, and stave off environmental destruction. Visit ChooseVeg.com for delicious cruelty-free recipes and tips on transitioning to a vegan diet.